Pinkeye (Conjunctivitis) in Babies: Causes and Treatment

If your baby’s eye is red, they might have an eye condition commonly known as pinkeye. You might have also heard it called conjunctivitis, which is the medical name for pinkeye. Although it can be uncomfortable for your baby, pinkeye can be treated and will go away within about 10 days. Read on to learn more about what causes pinkeye, what the symptoms are, how to treat it and help prevent its spread, and when to see your baby’s healthcare provider.

What Is Pinkeye?

Pinkeye is one of the most common eye conditions affecting both adults and children. The condition is an inflammation of the thin tissue lining the inside of the eyelid (this is called the conjunctiva) and the white part of the eye.

The inflammation causes the blood vessels in the eye to become more visible, which makes it look like the whites of the eye are red or pink—hence the name.

In some ways, pinkeye is a little like the common cold. Just like a cold, pinkeye can spread easily between children if someone is infected, and pinkeye often doesn’t require treatment for the condition to resolve by itself.

Pinkeye can be uncomfortable for your child but it typically won’t affect your baby’s eyesight.

Signs and Symptoms of Pinkeye

Symptoms depend on what has actually caused the pinkeye and may include the following:

• Viral infection

  • A pink, swollen, watery eye

  • Sensitivity to light

  • Typically only one eye is affected

• Bacterial infection

  • Red or pink, itchy, painful eye(s)

  • Green or yellow discharge from the eye

  • Crusting on the eye and eyelashes after waking up

  • Can affect just one or both eyes

• Allergic reaction

  • Itchy, red eyes

  • Excessive tearing

  • Usually affects both eyes

• Chemical irritation

  • Red, watery eyes.

Causes and Diagnosis

It can be hard to pinpoint the exact cause of pinkeye in babies; however, the main causes are typically

• viruses

• bacteria

• allergens, such as dust mites or pet dander

• chemical irritants, such as polluted air or chlorinated swimming pool water

• for newborns, a blocked tear duct.

Tell your baby’s healthcare provider if your little one has had contact with someone with viral or bacterial conjunctivitis, or if you think something irritated their eyes.

To diagnose pinkeye, your child’s healthcare provider will likely check your baby’s eyes for redness and discharge. The provider may even check your baby’s ears for signs of infection since the same bacteria that causes pinkeye can also cause ear infections.

How to Treat Pinkeye

Eye infections often last anywhere between 7 and 10 days. If your baby’s pinkeye gets worse or doesn’t improve after about a week, take your little one in to see their healthcare provider.

If the provider determines that a bacterial infection has caused the pinkeye, they will likely prescribe antibiotic eye drops or an ointment. If a virus is behind the condition, the provider can give you advice on how to help soothe the symptoms while the viral infection lasts. And if the pinkeye is a result of allergies, the provider may prescribe allergy medication (either by mouth or eye drops) to treat the symptoms.

There are also some home remedies you might like to try to give your little one some relief. Use a cool or warm washcloth as a compress to soothe the affected eye and learn how to clean your baby’s eyes properly. Clean any crust or discharge with gauze or a cotton ball dipped in warm water.

If your baby has any of the following, take them to your provider right away:

• Eye pain

• Blurred vision

• Sensitivity to light

• Intense eye redness, swelling, and tenderness

• Fever

• A weakened immune system

• A pre-existing eye condition.

Pinkeye in Newborns

Shortly after birth, newborns are treated with antibiotic ointment or drops. This is to prevent infections that may arise from exposure to viruses or bacteria during pregnancy or during the trip down the birth canal. If your newborn does develop pinkeye, you should see your healthcare provider as soon as possible to prevent complications. It could be the result of an infection, irritation, or even a blocked tear duct.

Is Pinkeye Contagious?

Viral and bacterial pinkeye are both very contagious, spreading easily from person to person.

• Viral pinkeye is contagious before symptoms appear and can remain contagious as long as symptoms last.

• Bacterial pinkeye is contagious from when symptoms first appear until there’s discharge from the eye or until 24 hours after antibiotic treatment has started.

How to Prevent Pinkeye From Spreading and Reoccurring?

Make sure that you and everyone in your home frequently wash their hands with soap and warm water, especially after providing any at-home treatment to your baby. Be sure to wash your baby's hands, too.

It’s also a good idea to launder anything (like washcloths, pillows, or towels) that was used by your baby separately from the rest of the household laundry to prevent the infection from spreading.

If your baby’s pinkeye was caused by an allergic reaction or irritation, these steps might help prevent it from reoccurring:

• Dust and vacuum frequently

• Close doors and windows when pollen is at its heaviest

• Keep scented household cleaners or irritating chemical cleaners to a minimum

• Avoid exposing your child to secondhand smoke

• Avoid chlorinated swimming pools.

The Bottom Line

It may be upsetting to see your beautiful baby with a bright pink or red eye infection, but just like many childhood illnesses, pinkeye tends to go away with time and/or treatment from your baby’s healthcare provider.

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_{How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.}